Twice a year I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Restaurant Week in New York City does it for me, and I take full advantage. I’ve been to quite a few this summer, but I want to tell you about my three favorites. 2-course lunches, 3-course dinners, brunches, all priced between $30 and $60 per meal, you just can’t beat that, and you can be the glutton you were meant to be. Most of the restaurants have now concluded their special meal days, even though a few keep going for another week or so. All the featured dishes are also available on their regular menus, and they are all worth it!
Bar Rocco
This one was my personal favorite this summer. My policy is that I usually don’t visit a restaurant twice, because I constantly want to try something new, but I have already been back to this one, I love it. Bar Rocco is located in the Kimpton Era Hotel on 48th Street right by Rockefeller Plaza. It is owned by celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito, who has deserted us for a couple of years, but he’s back on the scene. I knew the food was going to be good. And it was great. I was dining with my daughter, who was in town for a few weeks, so I got to try a bunch of dishes.
Little Gem Caesar salad: Fresh, delicious and authentic. It had actual anchovies in it, which I particularly loved. Having grown up in Europe, I used to eat them straight out of the tin. Burrata & Pomodorini Confit: melts in your mouth. Sunday Gravy Lasagna: better than mine, I hate to admit it. Years of making lasagna, I would never get close to that one. Delicious. Pappardelle Genovese: Short Rib Ragù with 18-months old Parmigiano Reggiano, it was creamy and hearty, awesome. The desserts were an Affogato-style Tiramisu, a show stopper, there will be no leftovers, and a Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich Sundae, the best of two worlds. Two thumbs up.
Leonetta
Leonetta is located on the corner of Lexington Avenue and 31st Street, and is owned by Chef Ed Cotton, a prior Bravo Top Chef contestant. This is the third restaurant of his that I have visited (still dreaming about his Sheperd’s Pie Croquettes). This one has a Mediterranean twist, and I’m here for it.
Our appetizers were a Watermelon and Tomato Salad with Feta and marinated olives, so, so delicious, and a Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche in a Chilled Tomato Gazpacho. I never had ceviche like this, it was an absolute delight. I had the Grilled Chicken Kebab with Rice Pilaf and a Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette, this was packed with flavor. My daughter had the Rigatoni Alla Norma, which was first try for me, It was so good, I seriously need to learn how to make it. Dessert #1 was the “Leonetta”, a Fruit Semifreddo with caramelized walnuts and raspberry. #2 was a Vanilla Yogurt Cheesecake with a lavender scented strawberry sauce. Both outstanding.
Tan
Tán is a beautiful Mexican restaurant on 49th Street close to 3rd Avenue. When I saw that the chef here is Richard Sandoval, I made reservations right away. He also heads the kitchen at Maya, my favorite Brunch restaurant. I absolutely love his food there, so I knew I was in for a treat at Tán. Here we had Birria Empanadas with cream and queso fresco, hot and delicious. We cooled down with the Shrimp Ceviche, also a very good choice. I love pork belly, so when I saw it on the menu, I locked in. It came with Butternut Squash puree, and may I just mention how much I also loved the Margarita? I was a little too happy at this point. Possibly. Arroz Con Leche was my dessert, also something I grew up with. My daughter picked the Churros with Chocolate Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream. We left full and happy!
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